Brigantine seeks input on bicycle, pedestrian safety plan

Lighthouse Circle in Brigantine Thursday, June 27, 2013. The city is in the midst of conducting a state-sponsored safety survey to make the city more accessible.

Edward Lea

Lighthouse Circle in Brigantine Thursday, June 27, 2013. The city is in the midst of conducting a state-sponsored safety survey to make the city more accessible.

Edward Lea

Lighthouse Circle in Brigantine Thursday, June 27, 2013. The city is in the midst of conducting a state-sponsored safety survey to make the city more accessible.

Edward Lea

Lighthouse Circle in Brigantine Thursday, June 27, 2013. The city is in the midst of conducting a state-sponsored safety survey to make the city more accessible.

Brigantine is seeking public input on a bicycle and pedestrian safety plan being generated by a state consultant.

City Manager Jennifer Blumenthal said a state Department of Transportation grant paid for a consultant to review infrastructure at the beach resort, which sees an influx of visitors each summer.

"We do have bikeways and people do utilize them, but they can be better," she said.

The Pennsylvania-based Michael Baker Jr. Inc. is looking at pinch points such as the Lighthouse Circle, where traffic converges from four roads, and creating pedestrian buffer areas along Harbor Beach Boulevard. Another preliminary recommendation is to install more bike racks, similar to Avalon, she said.

"One of our biggest areas of concern is bicyclists and pedestrians going around the circle to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center," Blumenthal said. "They're looking at ways to ease that problem and connect other parts of town, such as the schools and the commercial district."

The consultant is responsible for examining accident statistics, bicycle and pedestrian accessibility, intersection safety and conducting a citywide sidewalk inventory.

City officials will hold a meeting Saturday at the Police Department, in conjunction with the annual Bike Rodeo, to solicit feedback from the public.

Police Lt. Robert Rubino said the rodeo, which has been held for the past 25 years, is a joint venture between Brigantine PBA 204 and the Brigantine North School Parent Teacher Association. Each event features a raffle and children's activities aimed at promoting bicycle safety.

"This is the perfect venue for the public to observe and have input into the proposed improvements to the city's bike and pedestrian plan that have been in the works for several months," he said.

Rubino said maps and other informational material about the proposed safety improvements will be available to the public.

Blumenthal said officials also will be taking suggestions from the public.

The safety plan is being created at no cost to the city due to the $20,000 grant awarded last year, Blumenthal said. And the plan may create funding opportunities to act on the recommendations

"It will help us secure grants in the future to connect pedestrian crossways, bikeways and sidewalks," she said.